Thomas Perrelli joined the U.S. Department of Justice leaving the position of managing partner of the Washington office of Jenner & Block in 2009. As U.S. Associate Attorney General, the third-highest ranking official in the U.S. Department of Justice, Perrelli supervised numerous prominent litigation of national importance. He negotiated the $20 billion trust fund created over the BP oil spill in 2010. He negotiated big settlements with companies like Bank of America Corp, JPMorgan Chase & Co, Wells Fargo, Citigroup and Ally Financial over their foreclosure practices, and has a host of other achievements to his credit. He will be taking charge of the new Government Controversies and Public Policy practice at Jenner & Block.
Perrelli had joined Jenner & Block in 1992 as an associate, then left to work as counsel to attorney general Janet Reno for some time. He rejoined the law firm again, ultimately working his way to the position of managing partner at the firm’s Washington office.
Jenner & Block Chairman, Anton R. Valukas said in a statement about Perrelli, “He has a remarkable track record for finding creative solutions to “bet-the-company” legal problems, and he knows how to implement those solutions in a complex political and media environment. He has developed strong relationships in Washington D.C. and throughout the law enforcement community nationwide, particularly among state attorneys general, and he will be a tremendous asset to clients who face the most significant legal, regulatory and public policy challenges.”
The new department to be headed by Perrelli at Jenner & Block would focus on serving clients on civil and criminal issues, federal and state regulators, and Capitol Hill. The law firm is currently looking for lateral hires to strengthen the department that Perrelli is scheduled to head. He would be beginning work at the law firm from December 1, this year.